Abu Dhabi Airports expands its cargo network to 36 destinations
ABU DHABI, 7 May 2020 – Abu Dhabi Airports announced that K-Mile Air, the Thai carrier specialized in air cargo, will begin operating cargo flights at Zayed International Airport, starting from May 4, 2026.
The company will operate five flights per week using a Boeing 767 cargo aircraft to both Chiang Mai International Airport and Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport, thus launching the first direct air cargo routes between Abu Dhabi and northern Thailand, and enhancing the spread of the airport’s global cargo network to 36 destinations.
The launch of K-Mile Air services comes in light of the exceptional growth witnessed by the cargo sector at Zayed International Airport. According to data from the latest seven-day monitoring period (from April 27 to May 3), the average daily shipment volume increased from 1,878 tons compared to levels at the beginning of the year to 2,216 tons currently, recording a growth of 18%.
This growth is due to the significant increase in demand for freight by dedicated aircraft, as the average daily volume increased from 389 tons to 851 tons, an increase of 119%.
Dedicated cargo operations now represent 38% of the total handling volume, compared to 21% at the beginning of the year, in parallel with an increase in the number of daily cargo flights by 42%, which is a clear confirmation of the flexibility and readiness of the aviation infrastructure in Abu Dhabi.
The average daily volume of incoming freight to Zayed International Airport was about 612 tons, achieving a growth of approximately 91% during the period, while the volume of freight on departing flights recorded 239 tons per day, an increase of 251% during the same period.
Wide-body cargo aircraft operations also increased by about 55%, reaching 17 movements per day, at a time when the airport continues to enhance its capabilities to accommodate long-range cargo.
Ahmed Juma Al Shamsi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: Our teams play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth movement of goods through Abu Dhabi, and enhancing global connectivity for both Zayed International Airport and Al Ain International Airport, which is witnessing rapid development as an important regional logistics center. Despite the global transformations, the freight volumes we deal with have more than doubled, which highlights our operational readiness and our ability to rapidly expand to meet demand, and at the same time confirms the strength of our airports as reliable and growing centers for international trade. Even in light of the current fluctuations.
In parallel with this growth, Abu Dhabi Airports continues to strengthen its role in linking the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to global markets. This expansion, along with the entry of new operators, strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as a preferred destination for major global logistics companies.
By flexibly keeping pace with external changes, by expanding cargo capacity and restoring wide-body aircraft operations, Abu Dhabi Airports continues to fulfill its commitment to supporting the diversification of the national economy and strengthening the country’s position as a leading global center for logistics services.
This rising momentum is evident in the data for the first quarter of the current year 2026, where the total volume of freight through the Abu Dhabi airport network increased by 4.2% on an annual basis to reach 171,794 tons, while freight via dedicated aircraft at Zayed International Airport recorded a growth of 11.4% to reach 58,128 tons during the same period.
Al Ain International Airport also achieved strong performance, with cargo volume growing by 45.9% year-on-year, reflecting its growing role as a regional logistics hub.
The network also witnessed the addition of eight new airlines during the first quarter, bringing the total number to 36 companies serving 127 destinations from Abu Dhabi.
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